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Research Design

Inquiry and Discovery

Susan Watson

The main purpose of this course is to focus on good questions and how to answer them. This is essential to making considered decisions as a leader in any organization or in your life overall. Topics will include the basis of human curiosity, development of questions, connections between questions and approaches to information gathering design , variable measurement, sampling, the differences between experimental and non-experimental designs, data analysis, reporting and the ethics of inquiry projects. Emphasis will be placed on approaches used in the social sciences (i.e., sociology, psychology, anthropology), but we will also discuss how others (i.e., natural scientists, business analysts) might approach the inquiry process. No prior knowledge of statistics is required for this course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

The Process of Inquiry

This module will focus on the process of inquiry and how that will be used as a systematic model in seeking answers and solving problems. Next, we turn to components essential to each of the inquiry approaches.

Conceptualize and Operationalize Research

In this module, we will consider how to develop questions or hypotheses. This process begins with conceptualization or the mental process where fuzzy and imprecise concepts are made more specific and precise.

Background Research

In this module, we will look at the essential components of a literature review. The purpose is both to gain a good understanding of the main sources of information concerning a particular topic or question and to clarify our inquiry objective, hypothesis and/or research question.

Importance of Sampling and Ethical Issues in Research

This module will explore the importance of reliability and validity. We will also focus on ethical issues encountered with research.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to the process of inquiry and scientific inquiry, which may appeal to students with a broad interest in research

Emphasizes approaches to inquiry used in the social sciences, which may resonate with learners pursuing degrees in fields like sociology and anthropology

Taught by Susan Watson

Provides clear examples and resources to guide learners throughout the research process

Covers a wide range of topics, from conceptualizing research to ethical issues

Assumes no prior knowledge of statistics, making it suitable for learners with varying backgrounds

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Reviews summary

Well-designed basics of research course

Learners say this course is a well-designed and well-explained introduction to research design. It covers the basics of research, including sampling, hypothesis testing, and data analysis. Reviews frequently mention that this course is informative, easy to follow, and engaging. Students who are new to research or want to refine their research skills may find this course helpful. However, some students mentioned that they would like to see more videos and exercises to help them apply the concepts they learn. Overall, this course is well-received by students.

Knowledgeable and responsive instructors

"Dr. Watson and the team of professors at University of North Texas are highly professional and very responsive to students' inquiries"

"Excellent Course. Excellent Teaching Pedagogy Very Innovative Thank You to both Professors"

Engaging and informative materials

"The love the course. The activities, explanations, and videos, are ideal for the ones that want to know more about the inquiry process."

"It did an excellent review of the scientific method and provided some new information to me on types of variables."

Covers the basics of research

"It covers things like reliability and validity, different sampling techniques, and ethical considerations when designing a research study"

"A very useful course covering most of the fundamentals of research design"

Well-rounded introduction to research design

"This course is absolutely brilliant."

"It clarified all my doubts."

"One of the best course I have gone through."

Limited exercises

"This course can be improved by including exercises in which we can apply what we learned."

"More examples and exercises can be given on sampling. Hands on experience required."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery with these activities:

Connect with experts in the field of social inquiry.

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Expand perspectives and gain guidance by seeking mentorship from experienced professionals.

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Attend industry events and conferences to connect with researchers and professionals in the field.
Reach out to professors, researchers, or professionals through email or LinkedIn to express interest in mentorship.

Review 'Research Methods in Social Relations' by McCall and Simmons

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Gain insights into social research methodology by reviewing a foundational text in the field.

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Read and take notes on key chapters covering research design, data collection, and analysis.
Summarize and critically evaluate the main arguments presented in the book.

Restudy social science methods

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Review fundamental knowledge in social science methods to strengthen understanding.

Browse courses on Social Sciences Research

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Review lecture notes and textbooks from previous courses on social science methods.
Complete short knowledge check exercises online.

Five other activities

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Create a research resource library.

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Enhance research efficiency by compiling relevant articles and resources related to the course topics.

Browse courses on Information Management

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Use online databases and search engines to find relevant research articles and materials.
Organize and store the collected resources in a central location, such as a digital library or cloud storage.

Conduct experimental design simulations.

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Gain hands-on experience designing experiments and evaluating research questions.

Browse courses on Experimental Design

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Use online experimental design simulators to create and test different experimental designs.
Analyze simulated data to evaluate the effectiveness and validity of each design.

Explore data visualization best practices.

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Enhance data analysis and interpretation skills by learning effective data visualization techniques.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Follow online tutorials or workshops on data visualization.
Experiment with different data visualization tools and techniques.

Tutor fellow students or assist with research projects.

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Reinforce understanding and develop communication skills by mentoring and assisting others.

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Offer assistance to fellow students through study groups, online forums, or direct tutoring.
Participate in research projects by assisting with data collection, analysis, or writing.

Write a research proposal or grant application.

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Practice applying research skills by drafting a research proposal or grant application.

Browse courses on Research Proposal Writing

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Identify a research topic and develop a research question.
Conduct background research and literature review.
Outline the research plan, including methodology, data analysis, and expected outcomes.

Career center

Learners who complete Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Market Research Analyst

A Market Research Analyst conducts marketing research to better understand a company's target audience. They collect and analyze the target market to determine the ideal direction for business operations. The course Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery can help build a foundation for creating surveys and analyzing data. The studies can be used for marketing campaigns and targeting.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting and analyzing data to find trends, patterns and insights. They may also make predictions on future trends based on what patterns are found. The importance of sampling and ethical issues in research module can help facilitate a sound understanding of how to properly handle data before analyzing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for overseeing the development of a product, from conception to launch. They work with engineers, designers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the product meets the needs of the target market. The module The Process of Inquiry can be particularly helpful for a Product Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing campaigns to promote a company's products or services. They also track the results of marketing campaigns and make adjustments as needed. The module Background Research can be particularly helpful for a Marketing Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Business Analyst

Business Analysts interpret data to make recommendations to improve business processes. This can include researching customer problems and gathering data to improve business performance. The module Background Research can be particularly helpful for a Business Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

User Experience Researcher

A User Experience Researcher designs tests and conducts research to evaluate user experience. They also analyze and interpret research findings to improve products. The module Conceptualize and Operationalize Research can be particularly helpful for a User Experience Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager leads and manages a team of sales representatives. They are responsible for setting sales goals, developing sales strategies, and motivating their team to achieve those goals. The module Conceptualize and Operationalize Research can be particularly helpful for a Sales Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer designs and develops educational materials, such as online courses, training programs, and workshops. They also work with instructors to ensure that the materials are effective and engaging. The module The Process of Inquiry can be particularly helpful for an Instructional Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates and edits technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. They also work with engineers and other technical experts to ensure that the documentation is accurate and easy to understand. The module Conceptualize and Operationalize Research can be particularly helpful for a Technical Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for the care and display of museum collections. They also work with other staff to develop and implement educational programs. The module The Process of Inquiry can be particularly helpful for a Museum Curator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Historian

A Historian researches and interprets the past. They write books, articles, and other materials to share their findings with the public. The module Background Research can be particularly helpful for a Historian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Customer Success Manager

A Customer Success Manager is responsible for ensuring that customers are satisfied with a company's products or services. They work with customers to identify and resolve problems, and they also provide training and support. The module The Importance of Sampling and Ethical Issues in Research can help facilitate a sound understanding of how to properly handle data before analyzing which can be helpful for working with customers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Success Manager

Librarian

A Librarian helps people find and access information. They work in a variety of settings, such as public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. The module Background Research can be particularly helpful for a Librarian.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Archivist

An Archivist collects, preserves, and makes accessible historical records. They work in a variety of settings, such as museums, libraries, and government agencies. The module Background Research can be particularly helpful for an Archivist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Journalist

A Journalist gathers, analyzes, and reports on news and current events. They work for a variety of media outlets, such as newspapers, magazines, and television stations. The module The Process of Inquiry may be useful to a journalist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Research Design: Inquiry and Discovery.

Designing Social Inquiry

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Introduces you to research methodology and covers the essential components of inquiry. It great book to supplement your learning as it covers core concepts in research design.

Research Design

Inquiry and Discovery

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Well-designed basics of research course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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